8 New London Restaurants Opening This May
Nostalgia, childhood memories and seasonal ingredients are the recurring themes here for new restaurant openings in London in May.
From much-loved favourites returning with a new facade to London’s coolest chefs taking on a contemporary spin to classic recipes, there’s lots to look forward to if you’re the kind of the person who wants to be the first at the table. Our thoughts on London’s newest restaurant openings this month: Who knew risotto could be spun around in so many different ways? And who knew margaritas could be blue? Read on, for London’s best new restaurant openings this May:
Chez Roux
Combining historical British classics and traditional French cooking methods, Chez Roux is inspired by Michel Roux’s childhood growing up in rural Kent in the 1960s. Highlights on the menu include Roux’s unique take on Welsh Rarebit (rich with stout and Montgomery cheddar and piquant with mustard, Worcestershire sauce and pickled walnut); main courses like grilled lobster with garlic butter, fries and béarnaise, one of Chef Michel’s all-time favourite dishes, and something he remembers enjoying as a child at Le Gavroche, Roux’s family-run restaurant that shut down a few months ago. The restaurant will be open for dinner only and located in The Langham’s central dining room.
When: Opens on 22nd May
Where: The Langham
Website: www.langhamhotels.com
Julie’s
A much-loved establishment in Holland Park is reopening its doors this month in the heart of West London. Under the direction of the new owner, Tara MacBain, Julie’s will open as a modern French brasserie with an alfresco terrace. Once known for attracting celebrity clientele like Kate Moss and Paul McCartney, show-stopping dishes on the menu include a luxurious lobster soufflé with buttered leeks and gruyère, presented in a beautiful silver dish. Drinks include the Beurre Noisette Cider Royal, a take on a classic Kir Royal with a nutty flavour courtesy of browned butter and the Cassis Pepper Sazerac, an aromatic drink made with cassis pepper infused Cognac.
When: Opens on 8th May
Where: Portland Road
Website: juliesrestaurant.com
all’onda
Risotto lovers, rejoice, this one’s for you. Literally translating to ‘on the wave’, all’onda refers to the risotto-making technique of rice being gently tossed in the pan to create a flowing texture reminiscent of waves. Stemming from the founder Cordula Schulz’s passion for risotto, the 42-cover restaurant will give the dish centre-stage through a menu that showcases its versatility and sophistication. The kitchen will be headed by Andrea Granzarolo, who will combine tradition with a contemporary twist and showcase the finest seasonal ingredients from the British larder. There will be variations of the classic risotto, including a spring green risotto primavera, squid ink risotto and more playful options like pumpkin and shiso; seaweed, bottarga and white asparagus and sweetbread and artichoke.
When: Opens 2nd May, Tuesday to Saturday
Where: 67 Charlotte Street
Website: www.allonda.co.uk
The Counter
Following his debut restaurant in Notting Hill, Turkish chef Kemal Demirasal is bringing his native cuisine to Soho. The new Counter Soho will celebrate the cuisine of the countries surrounding the Aegean, and the dishes will be inspired by Demirasal’s childhood growing up on the Aegean coast. The 60-cover restaurant will have a menu that includes grilled and slow cooked dishes, with cold plates like whipped tarama and fish roe, sea bass crudo and citrus zest with umami sauce and saffron and crab orzo. There will be catch of the day specials and specialties like the tuna wagyu and hand dived scallops with tarragon oil. Also something to look forward to is Under The Counter, a 30-cover listening and cocktail bar downstairs that will serve food and cocktails that draw inspiration from Greece, Turkey, the Mediterranean and Levant.
When: Opening in May
Where: 15 Kingly Street, Carnaby
Website: thecounterlondon.com
Fellini
The team behind the Paparazzi Café is opening a new Italian restaurant that’s all about serving authentic Italian hospitality and making guests feel at home whether they’re dining alone or in a group. Food is designed to be unfussy with classic Italian dishes made with ingredients sourced from suppliers in Italy and the UK. With a focus on the healthier side of Italian cuisine, the menu includes primavera with aubergine, pesto and courgettes; vegan ravioli made with chickpea-filled pasta and veg-forward pizzas prepared with organic produce. Interiors bring a Mediterranean vibe to the place with a terrazzo marble bar and olive trees for company, with a wraparound terrace opening in June.
When: Opens on 6th may
Where: Chelsea
Website: thefellini.com
Cafe Petiole
Conceptualised as a plant-first bakery, Rishim Sachdeva (whose restaurant Tendril serves a “mostly vegan” menu), is bringing his love for plant-first food to a new all-day cafe-deli at Somerset House. The menu will feature the likes of salted piquillo peppers with coriander salsa and ancho chilli dressing, grilled aubergine sabich with tabbouleh, mustard mushroom focaccia with daikon pickle and a variety of baked treats. There’s also toasted banana bread with agave, blue corn tostadas and the famed Tendril Tiramisu available for takeout. If you’re looking at eating more veggies, this is the place for you.
When: Opening in May (date to be announced)
Where: Somerset House
Website: somersethouse.org.uk
Kioku by Endo
Bringing Japanese-inspired dishes to the menu, Chef Endo Kazutoshi (from Endo At the Rotunda), is opening up an exquisite rooftop venue that is centred around an east meets west concept. Translating to“memory”, Kioku will represent Endo’s most significant moments through his travels in Yokohama, Tokyo and Spain. The menu will see a curated selection of nigiri and sashimi alongside dishes like pork ramen ravioli, native lobster with fregola, shiso oil and sancho, and a bespoke “tuna experience” served at your table. If you want to elevate the experience a notch, there’s an eight-seat chef’s table too.
When: Opens on 15th May
Where: The OWO, Westminster
Website: kiokubyendo.com
El Cenote
A new cocktail bar with an impressive food menu is bringing a taste of Mexico to Camden. El Cenote, helmed by Aima Indigo, a local resident of Camden, is passionate about bringing her Mexican heritage to London and has crafted a menu inspired by the flavours of Mexico. The kitchen is led by Chef Daniel Sanchez, a native of Mexico City, who promises food and drink that is equally innovative and comforting. On the menu, expect to see dishes like Cochinita Pipil Tacos (soft corn tortillas with pulled pork slow cooked for seven hours); Taco Birria – Birria (a traditional spicy Mexican beef stew slow cooked until the meat falls apart) and Carne Asada Norteña (marinated steak grilled and thinly sliced). If you’re not a meat-eater, not to fear, there‘s a plant-based vegan selection on the menu as well which includes sweet potato tacos, crispy mushroom tacos and mushroom stew. When it comes to cocktails, expect classics with a twist like El Cenote (a classic margarita, featuring cucumber and blue curaçao) and La Guadalupe, a fruity mango margarita that captures the essence of Mexico’s culture.
When: Opens mid-May
Where: Camden
Website: www.elcenotecamden.com
